What were Henry Parkes' opinions for the federation?

Answer 1

Henry Parkes was very much in favour of federation of the Australian colonies. His main argument was that it would benefit trade by removing tariffs at the borders between the colonies. This would be particularly beneficial for settlements in northern New South Wales which were better off trading with settlements in southern Queensland rather than within their own state. The problem was that heavy tariffs greatly impeded free trade across the borders.

Answer 2

Sir Henry Parkes's main arguments for Federation centred around the trade advantages. Towns which were a long way from the state capital, and closer to another state's capital (such as Tenterfield, where he made a famous speech) were disadvantaged by the steep tariffs imposed on the transportation of goods across the border. For example, Tenterfield farmers and producers found it was more expedient to send their goods over the border to Queensland, where the closer trade centre of Brisbane was located, rather than to Sydney. Parkes's main argument for Federation was the fact that it would enable free trade across the borders.

Answer 3

Sir Henry Parkes is sometimes referred to as the Father of Federation as he was an influential politician who pushed for Federation of Australia's states.

Although born in England in 1815, a failed business venture prompted him to seek passage with his wife to Australia, and he arrived in Sydney in 1839. He was first elected to the New South Wales Parliament in 1854, and was Premier of New South Wales several times between 1872 and 1891.

Parkes is remembered for his famous Tenterfield Oration, delivered at the small rural town of Tenterfield in October 1889. In this speech, he campaigned heavily for Federation of the six Australian colonies. Tenterfield was selected as the place to make his stand as it was part of New South Wales but a long distance away from Sydney. This meant that the town was disadvantaged by the steep tariffs imposed on the transportation of goods across the border to Queensland, where the closer trade centre of Brisbane was located. His promotion of Federation was based on the fact that it would enable free trade across the borders.